Ife Journal of Science vol. 17, no. 1 (2015) 097 A TWO FISH SPECIES STUDY OF THE PARASITIC HELMINTH FAUNA OF filamentosus (BOULENGER, 1901) AND Calamoichthys calabaricus (SMITH, 1865) FROM LEKKI LAGOON, LAGOS, NIGERIA

Akinsanya Bamidele Department of Zoology, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria [email protected] (Received: 31st October, 2014; Accepted: 26th January, 2015)

ABSTRACT

The parasitic helminth fauna of a fish Synodontis filamentosus and Calamoichthys calabaricus was investigated. A total of 100 specimens from each of the fish species (n= 200) was examined. The female specimens of S. filamentosus had a prevalence of 46% while the male specimens had a lower prevalence of 37.2%. No infection was recorded in the fish species C calabaricus. There was no single parasitic infection in all the specimens examined. The worm burden was high in S. filamentosus with male specimens recording ninety five helminths while the female specimens recorded two hundred and seventeen helminths in both single and mixed infections ( single infection was 2% while multiple infections was 98%). The overall prevalence of parasitic infections in the two fish species is 42%. The length range for S filamentosus was 6.0 - 13.5cm while for C calamoichthys the length range was 21.5 – 34.0cm. The Caryophyllidea cestode, Wenyonia sp and a nematode, Raphidascaroides sp were recovered from the intestine of Synodontis filamentosus. The length range were 10.0cm and 28.0cm for S. filamentosus and C. calamoichthys respectively while the weight range for the two fish species was 37.0g and 32.0g respectively. Condition factor range was 2.07 – 5.93 and 0.07 – 0.23 in S. filamentosus and C. calamoichthys respectively. Infection was more pronounced in the juveniles of Synodontis filamentosus and less pronounced in the adults .

Keywords; Synodontis, Calabaricus,Wenyonia , helminth

INTRODUCTION According to the Food and Agriculture Fishes are a diverse group of serving as Organization, (FAO, ( 1997 ), fish is an important one of the best sources of protein to source of high quality protein, providing about human. They are harvested in bulk in Nigeria and 16% of the animal protein consumed by the are of great economic importance representing world's population. In Nigeria, fish provides 40% the key organisms in aquaculture. Aquaculture is of the dietary intake of animal protein of the defined as the rearing of fish in artificial or natural average Nigerian. Aside from being a source of bodies of water by manipulation of the protein for livestock, fish plays an important role environment with the aim of increasing medicinally as it replenishes the human body with production beyond the natural limit (Ugwumba et vitamins A and D; calcium, phosphorus and al., 2003). lysine; sulphur and amino acids (Ohen et al., 2007). Water bodies in Nigeria harbor a variety of fish species that serve as food and an economic Fish is very important in the diet in tropical resource to the country. Some of the most Africa and different parts of the world in that it important species that account for 90% of has higher biological value in terms of high Nigeria's fishery includes croaker, , protein retention, assimilation, low cholesterol tilapias, threadfins and the clupeids (FDF, 2004). content, and safety. Sikiru et al. (2009) observed that fisheries production has steadily shifted away An appreciable proportion of the Nigerian from developed countries to developing population live close to creeks, rivers and lakes, countries. FAO (1995) reported that fish and their main means of occupation is production in Nigeria has failed to meet domestic fishing. When parasites infect fishes, they show demand . This has led to the existence of a emaciation, anaemia, discolouration of the skin demand-supply gap of at least 0.7 million and susceptibility to secondary infections. metric tons with import making up the short fall. 098 Akinsanya Bamidele: A Two Fish Species Study of the Parasitic Helminth Fauna Widespread homestead and small scale fish C. calabaricusis is a nocturnal creature that feeds production can substantially solve the demand- on annelid worms, crustaceans and insects at supply gap in the country. Efforts made to night. Despite its nocturnal life style, C . calabaricus improve fish production in the country must be sometimes comes outside during the day to anchored on analysis of fish production (Kudi et predate on bloodworms or nightrawlers for larger al., 2009). fish. Some of them have affinity to stay close to the water surface where they will be safe from Synodontis filamentosus and Calamoichthys predator y fishes (Rainer et al., 2004). calabaricus are important delicacies for inhabitants along the shores of the West Africa freshwater. C . calabaricus are peaceful and inquisitive. Due to The genus Synodontis belong to the group of their peaceful nature, they undergo threats from fishes which are members of the other fishes despite their large size when family found in Africa. Synodontis species occurs competing in the water body for space and food . only in Africa and, apart from those species These two fish species are harvested for sale and present in River Nile, they are restricted to water subsequent consumption in Nigeria.The systems within the tropics (Willoughby, 1974). increasing demand for freshwater fish species by the growing population in developing countries Synodontis filamentosus is a species that is native to and the growing fish culture in Nigeria make it the Sudan, it occurs at the mouth of the White imperative to screen for the incidence of Nile River. It is particularly wide-spread in Africa, infection in these freshwater fish species. and occurs also in the Chad, Volta and Niger River Relatively few workers have documented basins. It is particularly common in the Bénoué information on the parasitofauna of other branch of the Niger ( Paugy and Roberts, 1992). It relatives of S filamentosus. Khalil (1971) and Van has a variable body colour pattern, depending on et al. (1984) reported the existence of over 40 where it was collected. Small spots, larger irregular species of adult tapeworms in African . dots, and several other variations are seen on this The objective of this study is to identify the catfish with a purple-grey ground. They have a parasitic helminth fauna of Synodontis very long adipose fin which aids identification filamentosus and Calamoichthys calabaricus to while possessing a higher body weight than determine the location of the intestinal parasites some other species, reaching a size of 20 to 25 in the fish hosts and to determine the influence of centimeters, depending on where they are the sex of the fish on the susceptibility to collected. They are found in soft water; tolerate a parasitic infections. pH within the range of 7 and a temperature range of 75 to 79oC (Skelton, 1993). They are generally MATERIALS AND METHODS classified as omnivores or predators feeding Description of Study Area mainly on aquatic insects, fishes and higher plants Lekki lagoon supports a major fishery in Nigeria. debris (Micah, 1973). They have also been found The Lekki lagoon located in Lagos State Nigeria to feed on terrestrial insects, molluscs and fruits. lies between longitudes 4000' and 4015' E and between latitudes 6025' and 6037' N, has a surface Calamoichthys calabaricus or the Reed fish is a area of about 247 km2with a maximum depth of species of water fish in the Bichir family. It is 6.4m. A large portion of the lagoon is shallow and native to West Africa, with its natural habitat less than 3.0 m deep. stretching from Nigeria to The Congo and it is The Lekki lagoon is part of an intricate system of the only member of the genus. It has a maximum waterways made up of lagoons and creeks that are total length of 90 cm (36 inches), lives in slow- found along the coast of South-Western Nigeria moving, brackish or fresh water; and warm water from the Dahomey border to the Niger Deltas within a temperature of 22 to 28 °C. It can breathe stretching over a distance of about 200km. It is atmospheric air using a pair of lungs; this makes it fed by the River Oni discharging to the North- able to survive in water with low dissolved oxygen Eastern and the Rivers Oshun and Saga content and to survive out of water for brief discharging into the North-Western parts of the spells (Froese et al., 2004). lagoon. Akinsanya Bamidele: A Two Fish Species Study of the Parasitic Helminth Fauna 099 The vegetation around the lagoon is characterized The lagoon which experiences both dry and rainy by shrub and raphia palms, Raphiasudanica, and oil seasons typical of the Southern part of Nigeria palms Elaeisguineensis. Floating grass occur on the supports a major fishery in Nigeria. Fig. 1 shows periphery of the lagoon while coconut palms Cocos the map of Lekki Lagoon, Lagos, Nigeria. nucifera are widespread in the surrounding villages.

Fig. 1: A Map Showing the Lekki Lagoon, Lagos

FIELD PROCEDURES removed and cut into different parts such as the stomach, small intestine and large intestine. This Collection and Examination of Specimens was done in a Petri dish with normal saline for for Parasites parasite recovery. The intestines were carefully From December 2010 to June 2011, one hundred slit open to aid the emergence of parasites. The fresh specimens, each of S. filamentosus and C . wriggling movements of the worms during calabaricus were purchased at Oluwo Market, emergence enhanced its recognition.The Epe, Lagos, Nigeria. The fishes were opened from parasitologic examination of the specimens were the mouth laterally and the alimentary canals were done immediately on the field to prevent 100 Akinsanya Bamidele: A Two Fish Species Study of the Parasitic Helminth Fauna autolysis of the host intestine. They were between the length and the weight of fish furnish subsequently processed for parasitic examination. further information on the weight variation of individuals in relation to their length (condition Morphological Parameters of the Fish factor, K). This factor estimates the general well- Species being of the fish ( Ikpeoha et al., 2007). It is the The total length of each fish was taken on the spot ratio weight of the whole fish to the cube of its from the tip of the snout (with the mouth closed) standard length and it is influenced by age, sex, to the extended tip of the caudal fin while the season and maturity stages of the fish. Specimens standard length was obtained by subtracting the of a given length exhibiting higher weight are said length of the caudal fin from the total length. This to be in better condition. was done using a transparent ruler and recorded to the nearest 0.5 centimeter (cm). After draining RESULTS excess water from the mouth and blot drying, the Overall Prevalence of Helminth Infection weight (w) of the same fish was obtained to the Out of a total of 200 fish specimens examined, nearest 0.1g using a Standard loading Denward 42 (21%) were infected with different helminth balance. Sex determination of the fish species was parasites (Table 1). The worm burden was high in done by visual examination of the anal opening. S. filamentosus with three hundred and twelve (312) The presence of an intromittent organ on the helminth parasites recovered in both single and ventral side, just before the anal fin is indicative for mixed infections. A maximum of fourteen a male species while the absence of the helminths were recovered from a specimen while intromittent organ indicates a female species. This average worm load (intensity) was seven (7). was consequently confirmed by the presence or absence of testis or ovaries during dissection. The prevalence of helminth parasites in Synodontis filamentosus was higher in female fish Processing of Parasites Recovered (46%) than in males ( 38%) . However, there was The guts were removed, washed in saline and the no significant difference in prevalence of parasites recovered were fixed and preserved in infection in both sexes. (p>0.05; Table 2). 70% alcohol. They were counted, recorded and the identifications of the parasites were carried A monozoic cestode (Wenyonia species) out at the Natural History Museum, Parasitic belonging to the family Caryophyllaedae and a worm Division, United Kingdom. nematode Raphidascaroides sp were recovered from the intestine of Synodontis filamentosus while there was no infection in Calabaricus calamoichthys. Condition Factor of the Fish Species The mathematical parameters of the relationship

Table 1: Overall Helminth Parasites in Both Synodontis filamentous and Calamoichthys calabaricus.

Sample organisms Number Number Prevalence Total number Mean examined infected (%) of parasites Intensity recovered Synodontis filamentosus 100 42 42 312 7 Calamoichth ys 100 0 0 0 0 Calabaricus T otal 200 42 21 312 7 Akinsanya Bamidele: A Two Fish Species Study of the Parasitic Helminth Fauna 101 Table 2: Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Helminthes Infections in Relation to Sex of Synodontis filamentosus

Sex Number Number Prevalence Total Mean examined infected (%) parasites Intensity recovered

Male 43 16 37 95 6

Female 57 26 46 217 8

2 2* ᵡ α (1)=3.841: ᵡ =0.87, (p> 0.05) (ᵡ2*= calculated Chi-Square ) Prevalence of Helminth Infection in decreased from maximum of 63% to a Relation to Length and Body Weight of 36% among the sub-adult and then rose the Fish hosts. to a prevalence of 39% among the adult.. Synodontis filamentosus comprised of three age groups – juveniles, sub-adults and The minimum weight of S. filamentosus adults which are classified on the basis of examined was 10 g while maximum weight their standard length ranges. Minimum was 68 g. The smallest weight group length (Standard length) examined was 6.0 recorded the highest rate of infection. cm while maximum length examined was The females also recorded the highest 13.5 cm. Parasitic infection was not limited prevalence in all weight groups but Chi- to any of the groups but was more Square (x2) analysis revealed that there was pronounced in juveniles while the sub- no significant difference (p>0.05) between adult recorded the lowest prevalence of prevalence and weight. Thus, prevalence infection as shown in Table 3. The table of infection in S. filamentosus was shows that among the males the prevalence independent of weight. Maximum weight of helminthes infection decreased with examined for Calamoichthys calabaricus was increase in length.Among the females, the 48 g while the minimum weight was 10 g. prevalence patterns decreased from the Table 4 shows the vivid picture of juveniles to subadult and then rose among gastrointestinal helminth infections in the adults. In both sexes, the prevalence relation to body weight in S. filamentosus . 102 Akinsanya Bamidele: A Two Fish Species Study of the Parasitic Helminth Fauna Table 3: Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Helminthes Infections in Synodontis filamentosus in Relation to Standard Length of the Fish Standard Number No. Infected Prevalence Worm Load Mean Length (cm) Examined (%) Intensity Male

5.0 – 7.9 13 8 62 57 7 8.0 - 10.9 11 3 27 29 10 11.0 - 13.9 19 4 21 25 6 Female 5.0 – 7.9 3 2 67 18 9 8.0 - 10.9 22 9 41 63 7 11.0 - 13.9 32 16 50 120 8 Both Sexes 5.0 – 7.9 16 10 63 75 8

8.0 - 10.9 33 12 36 92 8 11.0 - 13.9 51 20 39 145 7

ᵡ2α (2) =7.815:ᵡ2* =0.65, (p> 0.05)

Table 4: Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Helminthes Infections in Synodontis filamentosus in Relation to their Body Weight. Weight (g) Number No. Infected Prevalence Worm Load Mean

Examined (%) Intensity Male 10 – 29 24 11 46 86 8 30 – 49 6 0 0 0 0 50 – 69 13 4 31 25 6 Female 10 – 29 16 10 62 67 7 30 – 49 23 5 22 42 8 50 – 69 18 12 67 92 8 Both Sexes 10 – 29 40 21 53 153 7 30 – 49 29 5 17 42 8 50 – 69 31 16 52 117 7 ᵡ2α (2)=7.815: ᵡ2* =0.07, (p > 0.05)

these two fishes showed positive correlation (r). CONDITION FACTOR The value of r for Synodontis filamentosus was 0.95 as shown in Fig. 2 while Fig. 3 shows length- Length and Weight Measurement of weight relationship of Calamoichthys calabaricus Synodontis filamentosus and Calamoichthys examined. r was equal to 0.82, depicting a direct calabaricus. correlation between length and weight measured Randomly-selected specimens were measured to from the study. obtain their length and weight parameters. The lengths were 10.0cm and 28.0cm for Synodontis Condition Factor in Relation to Length of the filamentosus and Calamoichthys calabaricus Fish Hosts respectively. The weight for Synodontis filamentosus The condition factor (K) range was 2.07 – 5.93 was 37.0g while that of Calamoichthys calabaricus and 0.07 – 0.23 in Synodontis filamentosus and was 32.0g. The length and weight of samples of Calamoichthys calabaricus respectively. The mean Akinsanya Bamidele: A Two Fish Species Study of the Parasitic Helminth Fauna 103 condition factor for Synodontis filamentosus was 3.37 standard length were analyzed. Both organisms while a mean value of 0.15 for K was recorded in yielded negative or indirect perfect correlation (r Calamoichthys calabaricus. The correlation = -0.71: r = 0.66) This is shown in Figs. 4 and 5. coefficient between condition factor (K) and

Fig.2: Relationship between Standard Length and Weight of Synodontis filamentosus.

Fig. 3: Relationship between Standard Length and Weight of Calamoichthys calabaricus.

Fig. 4: Relationship Between Condition Factor and Standard Length of Synodontis filamentosus. 104 Akinsanya Bamidele: A Two Fish Species Study of the Parasitic Helminth Fauna

Fig 5: Relationship Between Condition Factor and Standard Length of Calamoichthys calabaricus.

Condition Factor in Relation to Weight calabaricus is - 0.15, showing strong negativity of Synodontis filamentosus has a K value of - 0.50 weight with condition factor. Figs. 6 and 7 showing an indirect perfect correlation illustrate the relationship between condition coefficient while the r value for Calamoichthys factor and weight of the fish hosts.

Fig. 6: Relationship Between Condition Factor and Weight of Synodontis Filamentosus.

Fig 7 : Relationship Between Condition Factor and Weight of Calamoichthy scalabaricus Akinsanya Bamidele: A Two Fish Species Study of the Parasitic Helminth Fauna 105 DISCUSSION observations by Ayanda, (2008) and Reed et al. The overall prevalence of the helminth parasites (1967) whose works recorded more infection (42%) recorded in this study among Synodontis rates in large-sized fishes. filamentosus was lower than a prevalence of 85.2% reported in Zaria for Synodontis species by There were variations in parasitic infection Auta et al.(1999). This may be due to ecological among the sexes and weight classes of S. differences between the habitats. Williams and filamentosus studied but statistics revealed that the Jones (2004) opined that parasitism varies from degree of helminth infection was independent one aquatic ecosystem to the other and that it of these parameters. Higher prevalence in either influences by the interplay of mixed biotic and the males or females may simply be by chance and abiotic factors. It is also worthy that infection there might be no reason to believe that one sex rates vary from one region to another and that a should have more parasitic infection than the number of factors like availability of intermediate other. A study by Onyeideike et al. (2010) on S. host, susceptibility of a definitive host, amongst eupterus, S. clarias, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus and others, determine to a large extent the rate of Clarias kingsleye which are related species of S. infection. filamentosus shows that there is no specific trend in parasite prevalence in relation to weight classes. Stomach content analysis revealed that mollusks, crustaceans, copepods and insects formed part of In this study, two major groups of parasites the diet of S. filamentosus in Lekki Lagoon. These were encountered, cestode and nematode. The dietary items could have served as intermediate Caryophylaedae cestodes (Wenyonia sp.) reported hosts of various parasites like the nematodes in this study is common in Nigeria freshwater whose life cycle in fresh water fishes involves fishes. It has been reported by Ukoli (1969), invertebrate host especially crustaceans and Ugwuzor (1987), Okaka (1991) and Akinsanya aquatic insects. Paperna (1996) implicated worms (2007b) The other helminth recovered was a and copepods as invertebrate intermediate hosts nematode., Raphidascaroides sp. Multiple of several species of nematodes and cestodes.The infections with helminth parasites in Synodontis high number of parasites found in the intestines species inhabiting Nigeria inland water was of fish samples could also be associated with the reported by Owolabi (2008). fact that most digestion activities take place in the intestine resulting in the release of parasite There was no parasites observed in C. ova/cysts in food particles while presence of calabaricus. Their quiescent and inactive nature absorbable food materials in the lumen of the gut could make competition for food low and hence, allows for the establishment of helminth parasites a possibility of low or no parasitic manifestation. (Onyedineke, et al., 2010). Akinsanya (2007 a, and Chubbs (1982) however suggested the possibility b) and Akinsanya 2007 (c and d) have reported of antibody complement secretion into the several species of helminths recovered from intestine in the mucus by fishes; a physiological some species of fishes. action that might also prevent the establishment of parasites in the gut of C. calabaricus. It could Lagler et al. (1979) and Torres et al. (1977) reported be a case of coincidence owing to the that an increase in size is a reflection of increase in randomness and number of samples examined length which is considered a measure of age, within a particular time frame. hence the fish hosts were grouped into juveniles, sub- adults and the adults. The results from the The length-weight relationship of S. filamentosus study showed that the juvenile stages of and C. calabaricus specimens collected at the Synodontis filamentosus were highly parasitized. Lekki Lagoon, Lagos were determined to This might be attributed to low level of immunity ascertain the wellbeing of the fishes. The in smaller - sized fish and the small number of the condition factor obtained shows that the fishes juvenile age group examined. This is in line with were thriving fairly well in the Lagoon.The good the observation by Obano (2006, 2010), and condition of C. calabaricus in Lekki Lagoon could Oniye et al. (2004) but in contrast with the have probably been responsible for the zero 106 Akinsanya Bamidele: A Two Fish Species Study of the Parasitic Helminth Fauna prevalence recorded. Oswald et al. (1992) as a result of environmental changes, whether reported that fish species in good environmental natural or man-made and to proffer probable conditions are rarely susceptible to the attack of natural control of the helminth parasites in fish diseases (Owolabi, 2008). Lekki Lagoon.

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